First of all, programming is fun. It also leads to highly paid, rewarding careers in the computer industry. And it's also fun. It will help you learn to solve problems. It will help you understand how your computer works and more easily figure out what is wrong when the computer doesn't work. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to mention that programming is LOTS OF FUN!
What do programmers do?
Programmers write commands that tell the computer exactly what it should do. It's a great feeling of power when you tell the computer what it should do and it actually follows your commands.
Programmers also spend time talking to people - users - to find out what they need. That means they spend a lot of time trying to understand people and their wishes.
Programmers sit in a position between the people and the machines, translating complex needs into concrete, specific commands that a very stupid machine can execute.
What equipment is needed?
You'll need a computer if you want to write programs. Don't try to do it on a portable device like a phone or a tablet. The phone probably won't let you save the programs you write, and the tablet probably doesn't have a good keyboard. If you want to write programs, you are going to do a lot of typing - lots and lots. So get a good keyboard.
You'll need to choose a programming language. Popular languages include:
Visual Basic because the commands
easy to understand, sort of like English
C++ because that's used by
professionals to create video games -
that's also a reason NOT to use it,
because professionals use complex tools
Python because it's new and has a
simple structure, similar to Basic
Java because it runs on almost any
machine and it teaches beginners good
habits and sensible concepts
JavaScript because it runs in web pages
and does not require any special software
Don't try learning PHP or Perl first. Those are used for programming servers, and that's a lot trickier than writing programs for your PC or Mac. Programming servers sounds exciting, but it's not easy. Try to start with something easy - you'll have a lot more fun and success.
Where can you get started?
If you are a student, it's sensible to take a class at school or university. Programming isn't easy - it's not like using apps and playing games. You'll learn a lot quicker if you have a teacher to guide you and help you.
Whether you take a class or not, you should get a book. "Complete idiot" books don't sound promising, but they are actually designed with beginners in mind - unlike the 90% of programming books that were written for computer professionals who already have lots of experience with programming. Big, fat books look powerful, but they are actually intended as reference books, like encyclopedias, and are probably not a good choice for beginners. Try to find a book that's under 500 pages, contains lots of pictures and lots of sample program code, and claims to be written for beginners.
You'll need an editor, or compiler, or IDE, or a "development" system. Go for the simplest one available (see my suggestions below.) You can use it for a few months and then switch to a big, powerful application later. If you buy a book that includes a CD with software, then use that. It probably works better with the book than other software.
Search the Internet, ask friends, read some magazines - get some advice before starting.
Why learn programming?
First of all, programming is fun.
It also leads to highly paid,
rewarding careers in the computer
industry. And it's also fun. It will
help you learn to solve problems.
It will help you understand how your
computer works and more easily
figure out what is wrong when the
computer doesn't work. Oh, yeah,
I almost forgot to mention that
programming is LOTS OF FUN!
What do programmers do?
Programmers write commands that
tell the computer exactly what it
should do. It's a great feeling of
power when you tell the computer
what it should do and it actually
follows your commands.
Programmers also spend time talking
to people - users - to find out what
they need. That means they spend
a lot of time trying to understand
people and their wishes.
Programmers sit in a position between
the people and the machines,
translating complex needs into concrete,
specific commands that a very stupid
machine can execute.
What equipment is needed?
You'll need a computer if you want to
write programs. Don't try to do it on a
portable device like a phone or a tablet.
The phone probably won't let you save
the programs you write, and the tablet
probably doesn't have a good keyboard.
If you want to write programs, you are
going to do a lot of typing - lots and lots.
So get a good keyboard.
You'll need to choose a programming
language. Popular languages include:
easy to understand, sort of like English
professionals to create video games -
that's also a reason NOT to use it,
because professionals use complex tools
simple structure, similar to Basic
machine and it teaches beginners good
habits and sensible concepts
and does not require any special software
Don't try learning PHP or Perl first. Those are
used for programming servers, and that's a lot
trickier than writing programs for your PC or Mac.
Programming servers sounds exciting, but it's
not easy. Try to start with something easy -
you'll have a lot more fun and success.
Where can you get started?
If you are a student, it's sensible to take a
class at school or university. Programming
isn't easy - it's not like using apps and playing
games. You'll learn a lot quicker if you have
a teacher to guide you and help you.
Whether you take a class or not, you should
get a book. "Complete idiot" books don't
sound promising, but they are actually designed
with beginners in mind - unlike the 90% of
programming books that were written for
computer professionals who already have
lots of experience with programming.
Big, fat books look powerful, but they are
actually intended as reference books, like
encyclopedias, and are probably not a good
choice for beginners. Try to find a book that's
under 500 pages, contains lots of pictures and
lots of sample program code, and claims to
be written for beginners.
You'll need an editor, or compiler, or IDE, or
a "development" system. Go for the simplest
one available (see my suggestions below.)
You can use it for a few months and then
switch to a big, powerful application later.
If you buy a book that includes a CD with
software, then use that. It probably works
better with the book than other software.
Search the Internet, ask friends, read some
magazines - get some advice before starting.
Some specific suggestions follow below.